Los Angeles Moves To End COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement For Workers

Los Angeles has joined other cities like Long Beach and Pasadena in ending a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for city employees.

Under the ordinance adopted by the city council on Tuesday, city workers who resigned or were terminated because of the COVID-19 vaccination policy can re-apply for their previous positions. However, the city’s usual hiring process will apply, and the employee’s previous work history including disciplinary action will be considered. There is no guarantee they will be rehired.

During the city council meeting, employees who previously lost their jobs because of the vaccine requirement spoke out against the policy. They asked the council to rehire them, as well as offer back pay for wages lost because of the termination.

Chief administrative officer Matthew Szabo said in a report to city leaders that the draft ordinance had been shared with “employee organizations” for feedback, but they had no “opposition.”

LAist has reached out to Szabo, as well as SEIU Local 721, the union representing a large number of city workers, for comment.

Los Angeles ended its COVID-19 state of emergency last March.

The vaccine requirement led to several lawsuits filed by city employees. Six Los Angeles Police Department workers filed a lawsuit in federal court in 2021, arguing the requirement violated their Fourth and 14th Amendment rights. The Los Angeles Fire Department also previously sent home workers for failing to comply with the mandate.

Mayor Karen Bass now has 10 days to sign the ordinance. After that, the ordinance will be publicly posted for 30 days before the city can start reviewing applications from workers previously terminated or who resigned over the policy.